Prof. Marian de van der Schueren 

Presentation Roadmap/ Summary

In this session the differentiation of patients between malnutrition, sarcopenia and cachexia is introduced. The respective ways to classify a patient at nutritional risk for either one of the above symptoms or a combination is given.  

Next to discussing the state of the art, future directions for research and better patient care are presented.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of the presentation, the participant will be able to understand:

1. differentiation between the syndromes malnutrition, sarcopenia and cachexia;
2. overview and weaknesses of existing definitions; overlap of definitions;

Key Takeaways/ Fast Facts

•        Malnutrition in cancer disease can be classified: syndromes malnutrition, sarcopenia and cachexia.

•        Malnutrition, sarcopenia and cachexia have an impact on patient outcome, QoL and survival.

•        Malnutrition, sarcopenia and cachexia have to be taken into account when planning cancer treatment and evaluating outcomes.

Key references

1. Fearon K, Strasser F, Anker SD, et al. Definition and classification of cancer cachexia: an international consensus. Lancet Oncol. 2011 May;12(5):489-95.  
2. Cederholm T, Jensen GL, Correia MITD, et al. GLIM criteria for the diagnosis of malnutrition - A consensus report from the global clinical nutrition community. Clin Nutr. 2019 Feb;38(1):1-9.
3.  Cederholm T, Barazzoni R, Austin P, et al.  ESPEN guidelines on definitions and terminology of clinical nutrition. Clin Nutr. 2017 Feb;36(1):49-64. 
4. Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Bahat G, Bauer J, et al. Sarcopenia: revised European consensus on definition and diagnosis. Age Ageing. 2019 Jan 1;48(1):16-31.